GASOLINE RATIONING AND OLD-TIME RADIO PART 2

YESTERDAY’S TOPIC here at SimanaitisSays offered details of U.S. gasoline rationing during World War II. Today, a SiriusXM “Radio Classics” broadcast of Lum and Abner describes its effect on the residents of Pine Ridge, Arkansas.

The Office of Price Administration’s ration stickers and books were in use for the war’s duration. Rationing ended on August 15, 1945, the day Japanese surrender was announced.

Lum and Abner Helped. Radio broadcasts of the war era did more than simply entertain and inform: They also promoted government rationing programs and helped maintain morale. Lum and Abner, a gentle comedy radio show created by Chester Lauck and Norris Goff, was part of this effort.

Chester “Lum” Lauck, 1902–1980, left, and Norris “Abner” Goff, 1906–1978, brought their homespun Arkansas humor to national radio audiences between 1931 and 1954.

The pair, both Arkansas-born, constituted almost the entire repertory company portraying residents of Pine Ridge, Arkansas. Lauck was Columbus “Lum” Edwards, as well as Grandpappy Spears and Cedric Weehunt. Goff portrayed Abner Peabody, as well as Squire Skimp (often the conniving baddy), Mousey Grey, and other characters. Only a few other radio artists had occasional roles.

Lum and Abner operated the Pine Ridge Jot ‘Em Down Store and Library, serving as a central meeting place. The gasoline rationing episode was broadcast in November 1942 in anticipation of its official beginning on December 1 of that year.

In the episode, available online at out-of-sight.net, Lum has his rationing facts straight: “It’s not because of a shortage of gasoline; it’s because of a shortage of automobile tires. They want to keep every car running during the duration…. how folks get back and forth to work and all.”

“What if a feller needs more?” asks Abner.

“There are other books,” Lum says, “but the best way is to get together with neighbors…. The point is ‘Share your car and go twice as far.’ ”